Apparatus for seaming ends to can-bodies



A. JOHNSON.

APPARATUS FOR SEAMING ENDS TO CAN BODIES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 11, 1916.

1,372,953. Patented Mar. 29, 1921.

5 SHEETS-SHEET1.

INVENTOR. 0

A; ATTORNEY WITNESS.

A. JOHNSON.

APPARATUS FOR SEAMING ENDS T0 CAN B APPLICATION FILED JULY N, 1916. 1,372,953.

ODIES.

Patented Mar. 29, 1921.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

IN VEN TOR.

4i; ATTORNEY.

A. JOHNSON.

APPARATUS FOR SEAMING ENDS T0 CAN BODIES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY II, I9I6.

5 W m 0 9 5 '7 mm. a 0% W m I, 430M N, nnz I 3H 0 MwF 7Q. m5 7w 3% H I; w a 5 5 5 5 1 5 w MMWHHIPM m m wa w. y 8 :00 w mR k 1 1 1 r/ A W 9 1 I I a n 1 mm 4 1 .1 5 3 W0. A; MW. m 7 9 5 5 3 3 55 I I I, ATTORNEY.

A. JOHNSON.

APPARATUS FOR SEAMING E'NDSTO CAN BODIES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 11. 1916.

1,372,953; Patented Mar. 29,1921.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

13 I/ VVVVVV W.

M 4.; 'ZTTORNEY.

A. JOHNSON.

APPARATUS FOR SEAMING ENDS T0 CAN BODIES. APPLICATION FILED JULYYIII 916.

5 SHEETSSHEET 5.

1,872,953. Patented Mar- 29, 1921.

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men STATES PATENT OFFICE.

.dn'llZlElL J'OEINSQN, F OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, ,ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN CAN ClUlYIPANY 015' SAN FRANGISCU, CALIFORNIA. A. GORPOBATION on NEW" JERSEY.

ALPPARATUfi FDR SEA-MING ENDS --BODIE$.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 29, 1921.

application tiled July 11, 1916. Serial No. 108,594.

To all whom it may concern .1

Be it known that l, Axnr. doHNsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ualrland, in the county of Alameda and State of California, have invented certain new and usefuhlinprovements in Apparatus for Eeaming Ends to C21I1-B0dl8$, of which the following is a' specification.

the present invention relates to canning machinery, and more particularly to a machine for sealing cans used for the preservation of food and other products by what is known in the art as the double seaming process.

in this process, the adjacent flanges of the can body and end are interfolded, by means of suitably formed pressure rolls, to malre a tight seam; and to accomplish this, either the can and its end must be rotated while in engagement with the seaming rolls, or else said rolls must be carried by a rotating head, which revolvesabout the can end. 'l he latter method is objectionable on account of the unavoidable weight of such a seaming head, which must not only carry the rolls in their orbit about the can end, but must also permit them to be rnoved into and out of engagement therewith. I

lln the machines already linow'n in the art, making use of the first mentioned method, the can is rotated by a rapidly rotating chuclr which descends into frictional contact with the end of the can positioned thereunder, or against which the can is elevated. lln either case, the effect is the same, via-- that the rapidly rotating chuck is brought into contact with the hitherto stationary can end. Under such circumstances, the inertia of the can body, particularly when filled with relatively heavy material, causes a momentary slip between the can. end and the can body. This slip is apt tomutilate the fragile ring liner interposed between the adjacent flanges of the body and the end, and will most certainly do so if said liner be moist. inasmuch as the liner is very liable to be moist, either from spilling, if the contents of the can contain a liquid, or from the steam used in the cooker, the per ccntage of lealry seams arising from this cause is relatively high.

The object of the present invention is to provide a machine for the described purpose in which, first, the danger of mutilating the ring liner is eliminated; second, the cans are continuously ladvanced throu h the mach1ne; and thlrd, the weight 0 the moving parts, especially those which operate at ,rela-' tively high speed, is kept within reasonable limits.

This object is carried out, in a 'eneral way, by feeding the cans successively onto a contmuously revolving table; clamping the can andits end by a temporarily nonrotating chuck which descends upon said end; imparting rotation to said. chuck and the can and end held thereby, and bringing the seaming mechanism in operative relation with the flange of said can; and finally releasing the seamed can from the chuclr and removing it from the machine.

In order to comprehend the invention reference should be had to the accoinpany mg. drawings, wherein-- Figure l is a perspective view of the machine.

Fig. 2 is a central vertical section.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken on the line 8-45 of Fig. 2 and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a broken horizontal section, enlarged, taken in four different planes repre sented in part by the line l 4.- of Fig. 9, and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 5 is a detailed vertical section of one ofthe can chuck spindles, taken in the direction of the arrows on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is similar to Fig. with the trunnion yclres and cam followers added, show ing the can clamped by the chuck.

Fig. 7 is a broken horizontal section taken in the direction of the arrows on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view on line VIII-Vlll of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a similar view with the seaming rolls and seaming roll arms removed.

Fig. 10 is an elevation of one of the seam-- ing roll arms and seaming rolls, removed.

In the drawings, the reference numeral l. designates a suitably constructed base, from which rises a fired central column 2, Fig. 2 of the drawings, said column supporting, at its upper end, a gear case or housing 3.. it drive shaft 4 carrying at its outer end a belt pulley 5 is suitably journaled in said housing 8, and carries on its inner end a bevel gear 6, adapted to mesh with and drive a second bevel gear 7. fired upon the upper end of a central vertical shaft 8 extending t ll till

through and having bearings within the column 2. The lower end of said vertical shaft 8 carries a gear 9. which meshes with a pinion or gear 10 fixed to a short vertically disposed counter-shaft 11 carried in suitable journal brackets 11 within the base 1. The upper end of said counter-shaft also carries a fixed pinion 12. i

A turret 13, carrying mechanism to be described hereinafter, surrounds the column 2 below the gear housing 3, and is supported by and fixed to the upper end of a rotatable sleeve 14 whose lower end portion is threaded to receive a nut 15. Said nut 15 is formed with a flange 15, which lies within a gear ring 16, the latter being fastened to the flanged hub 17 of a rotatable table 17 by means of bolts 16. Said table 17 is keyed for vertical sliding movement, upon the sleeve 14, as at 17", and has an annular bearing, here shown as V-shaped. in a flange 18 at the upper portion of the base 1. A set screw 19, passed through the hub 17 of the table 17 and bearing against the nut 15 locks said nut 15 securely to said table 17 and the fixed gear ring 16. so that all of said parts rotate as a whole with the sleeve 14. the latter carrying, as before stated, the turret 13. The gear ring 16 meshes with the pinion 12 on the counter-shaft 11, and is rotated thereby.

When it is desired to change the position of the turret 13 vertically with respect to the table 17, to enable the machine to operate on cans of different sizes. the set screw 19 is loosened, and the nut 15 turned upon the sleeve 14, and within the gear ring 16. to raise or lower said sleeve with respect to said nut. F or this purpose a removable shaft 20 is provided, the same having a crank handle 21 upon 'its outer end and bevel pinion teeth 22 upon its inner end. Said shaft is inserted through a journal 23 in the base 1, so that its toothed portion 22 engages a series of corresponding teeth 24 1 formed in the lower face of the nut 15.

Thus by means of the exterior crank 21, the nut 15 may be turned upon the threaded sleeve 14, when the locking screw 19 is loose. to raise or lower said sleeve and the turret 13 with respect to the table 17. It is understood that the adjusting shaft 20 is withdrawn when the machine is in normal operation.

Within the gear housing 3 is a bevel gear 27, meshing with the bevel gear 6 on the drive shaft 4. Said gear 27 is fixed upon a downwardly extending sleeve 28. surrounding the upper portion of the column 2. and rotatable thereon. A ball thrust bearing 29 is provided at the lower end of said sleeve 28. A spur gear 30 is keyed upon said sleeve 28 within the turret 13-. and moves up and down thereon when the position of said turret is vertically adjusted. Said gear 30 meshes with a series or" pinions 31, Figs. 2, l. 5. and 6 of the drawings, each provided with a hub 31' having a bearing in the top plate 13 of the turret 13. Each of said pinions 31 is associated with a can chuck mechanism. of which four are shown in the drawings, although it is to be understood that any convenient or desirable number may be used. All of said can chuck mechanisms are identical in construction. so that a description of one will suilice for all.

-1 vertically disposed spindle 32. Figs. 4;, 5 and 6 of the drawings, has its upper end extended within the hub 31' of each pinion 31. and is freely rotatable therein. Said upper portion of the spindle 32 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally disposed grooves 33. shown in the drawings as tour in number. said grooves receiving balls 3-1 positioned within segmental clutch blocks 35 lying within the pinion 31. A spring ring 36. surrounding said clutch blocks. normally retains the same out of engagement with the interior of the pinion 31. but. as will be readily understood from Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings. an upward movement oi the spindle 32 causes the balls 31 to ride up on the shallow lower ends 33 of the grooves 33, and by so doing to expand the clutch blocks 35 into engagement with the interior if the pinion 35. The rotation of said pin on 35 is thereupon transmitted to said spindle 32. by means of the clutch blocks 35, the balls 34. and the grooves 33. Thus the spindle 32. when in its lower position. is idle. but when raised to its upper position. Fig. 6 of the drawings. rotates with the continuously rotating pinion 31.

For the purpose of thus moving the spinile 32 lineally, up and down. a hall bearing thrust trunnion 37 is provided upon said shaft. whose outer. or stationary portion 37 1s pivotally connected at 38 with a lever 38. said lever being fulcrumed at 40 upon a suitable bracket 39 carried by the turret 13. and having at its inner end a cam following roller -11 adapted to lie within and follow a cam groove 42 formed in the peripheral surface of a stationary cam memher 13 fixed upon the central column 2.

durrounding the lower end portion of the shaft 32 is a sleeve 44, forming the upper portion or a chuck spindle 44. carrying on its lower end a can end chuck 45. Said sleeve is keyed to the spindle 32, as shown it -16. so that the two are forced to rotate together. although said sleeve is freely slidible on said shaft. Said spindle is jouraaled for rotary and lineal movement at 17 in the bottom plate 13" of the turret 13. .1 trunnion 48. Fig. 5 of the drawings. similar to the trunnion 37. is mounted upon the upper end portion of the sleeve 4-1. and has its outer member 1-8' pivotall v coir aected, at 1-9. with a lever 1-9, said lever till being fulcrumed at upon the bracket 39,

Fig. 6 ft e drawings, and carrying upon its inner? end a cam following roller 51 adapted to follow a groove 52 formed in the stationary cam member 43 below the groove 42, Fig. 2 of the drawings. Thus the spindle 44, carrying the chuck 45, rotates with the shaft 32, and is raised and lowered,

fiber, is inserted in the outer wall of the chuck spindle journal 47, and has slight horizontal movement therein, so that its inner end can be forced into contact with the chuck spindle a l, by means to be hereinafter described, to check the rotation of said spindle.

AL seamin head shaft 54, Figs, 5 and 6 of thedrawings, is journaled for oscillatory rotation in the lower end plate 13 of the turret 13, adjacent to the chuck spindle 4:4. Said seaming head shaft is rovided at its upper end with a lever 55, carrying at its end a cam following roller 56 adapted to lie within and follow a cam groove 57 formed in the lower end face of the stationary cam member 43, said mechanism providing the means for oscillating said seaming head shaft.

The lower end of the seeming head shaft 5d, which terminates in an enlargement 5 1-,

*' carries a seaming head, comprising an end plate 66, held to the enlargement 5d of the shaft 54tby the screw bolts 58' and above the said end plate 56 is mounted a dish 59, secured to said shaft 5d, and provided with peripheral teeth 59, Fig. 7 of the drawings. The enlargement 5 f and the end plate 58 are so constructed as to provide when the parts are in assembled relation a dove-tailed groove or channel-as. A pair of seaming roll arms 60, carrying seaming rolls 61 and 62, journaled upon pins 63, for the first and second seaming operations respectively, are adjustably carried by the scanning head shaft 54: being pivoted thereto above the toothed disk 59, and within said arms are worms 6t, having exterior heads 64" adapted to receive a wrench, and having engagement with the teeth 59" of said disk 59, so that by the manipulation of said worms, the arms ,60 may be adjusted about the disk 59 and the shaft 54:. Each'searning roll arm 60 is provided with a bifurcated inwardly projecting tongueextension 60' which, when the arms are in assembled position, fits and works within the dovetailed groove or channel a, and-within the bifurcated portion of the said dovetailed tongues 60 fits the toothed dish 59.

ft. recess '65 is formed in the upper surface of the dish 59,1Figs. 5, 6 and 7 of the draw-- igs. i, 6 and 7,

rings, to receive a radially disposed plate 66,

whose inner end loosely surrounds the shaft 54, and whose outer portion carries, on its under side, a gear segment 67, Figs. 5, 6 and 7 of the drawings. A tongue 68 extends beyond the end of said plate 66, and freely engages a vertically disposed slot 69 in the sleeve 14, thus preventing said plate 66 from oscillating with the seaming head. Within the end plate 58 is a transversely disposed rotatable spindle 70, having at one end a gear portion 71 adapted to mesh with the gear segment 67 on the stationary plate 66,

whereby said spindle is rotated through a part of a revolution, when it is bodily moved by the oscillation of the seaming head. The other end of said spindle carries a freely rotatable tucking roll 7 2, eccentrically mounted insaid spindle 70, as shown at 73. Thus it will be seen that the tucking roll 72 is moved upand down by the partial oscillatory rotation of the spindle l0, asthe seaming" head is oscillated by its shalt 54 Mounted preferably within a seat or socket 17 in the table l'l-in vertical alinement with each can end chuclt a5, is a freely rotatable can supporting plate 74, Figs. 5,

6 and 7 of the drawings, each of which can supporting plates rotates on a vertical axis and is preferably supported upon ball-bean ings 7 5, and has its upper surface flush with the surface of said table 'l'l. The can; 76 whose end 7'7 has been loosely applied, is placed upon said rotatable plate 7d by means to be described hereinafter, and is correctly located thereon by a guide pocket 76, Figs. 3, 5 and 6 of the drawings. The end chuck 45, which is now stationary, is" then moved downward, by the continued rotation of the turret l3, acting through the agency of the cam groove 52, the lever t9, and the trunnion 48, until it firmly engages the can end .77, thus securely clamping the can 76 with its end f'l between the supportingplate ft and said chuclr d5, Figs. 5 and 6, illustrate respectively the positions of said chuclr d5 before and after making" said downward,

movement.

After the can 76 has been thus clamped by the hitherto non-rotating chuclr 4 5, the turret l6 continues to revolve, and cam groove 42 actuates the lever 36 to lift the spindle 32 to connect the same, by means of the clutch bloclrs 35, with the continuously rotating pinion 31, as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings. flotation is thus imparted to the spindle 62, thespindle i l, the chuck 4,5,and the can 76 held thereby. fit the same timethe seaming head shaft 54 is rocked by means of the cam groove 5?, which movement first raises the tuclting; roll l2 into engagement with the flange of the can end, then brings the first operation seaming roll 61 into engagement with said flange,

and finally moves said tucking roll and said ltlll lllti first seaming roll out of engagement, and brings the second operation seaming roll 62 into engagement to complete the seamed flange. By this time the rotation of the turret 13 and the table 17 have carried the can from the position A to the position B, Fig. 3 of the drawings, when it is released by the chuck 45 and removed from the table by a deflector plate 80.

By providing for both the reciprocation and the rotation of the upper chucks the mechanism for those purposes is much simplified, and bettter located for the construction and operation of the machine, to attain with certainty the desired results that no relative rotation shall at any time take place between the can body and cover, which would have the injurious effects above mentioned.

Cans are fed into the machine from a feed table 81, Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, whose surface is preferably level with that of the'talole 17. The feed mechanism. which will now be described. is driven from the pinion 12 on the vertical counter shaft 11, through an idler gear 82. which meshes with a gear 84 secured upon a vertical shaft 85,. Said vertical shaft 85 also carries a bevel gear 86, Fig. 2 of the drawings, which meshes with a similar gear 87. Fig. 3, fixed upon a horizontal feed shaft 88. This horizontal shaft carries a pair of sprockets 89. which drive feed chains 90. Idler sprockets 91 support the outer ends of said chains so that their upper runs operate in grooves 92in the surface of the feed table 81. The upper runs of said chains. it is understood. move toward the shaft 88.

A third sprocket 93 is fixed upon the shaft 88 for the purpose of driving a timed feed chain 94 provided with regularly spaced can engaging lugs or flights 95. Said chain runs over an idler sprocket 96. and its upper run moves toward the drive shaft 88 in a groove 97 in the feed table 81. A pair of spaced swinging guide arms 98 and 99, pivotally connected to the feed table 81 at 98 and 99 respectively, and spaced apart by an adjustable inverted U-shaped tie rod 100, are positioned to engage the cans coming in on the feed chains and guide the same laterally onto the timed feed chain 94. The guide arm 99 has a lateral extension 101, to which is connected a rod 102 carrying on its end a piston 103 working within a dash-pot cylinder 10 1. A spring 105 surrounding said rod 102 normally holds the guide arms 98 and 99 in the position shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, but when a can, advancing between said arms, strikes against the side of one of the flights of the timed feed chain 94-, said arms give sufiiciently to permit the flight to pass the can. after which said can is moved into place in front of the succeeding fiight by the return movement of said arms. The dash-pot 101- prevents said return movement from taking place too suddenly.

The cans are transferred from the timed feed chain 94: to the table 17 by the following mechanism :The vertical feed shaft 85, Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings, has fixed thereto a disk 106, above the feed table 81. Said disk 106 carries two oppositely disposed radially projecting fingers 107, said fingers being pivotally connected with said disk at 107'. so that they are capable of swinging movement in the plane of their revolution about the center of said disk. Each finger 107 carries a cam follower 108, adapted to rlde in a cam groove 109 formed in the under surface of a fixed cam member 110, held .11 superposed relation above the disk 100 oy a bracket 111 fixed to the feed table at 112.

The action of said cam causes the fingers 107 to run ahead of the rotary movement of the disk 106 to advance the can rapidly from the timed feed chain 91 onto one of the can supporting plates 74 of the rotating, table 17. and then subsequently to lag sufficiently to disengage said can and allow the same to be carried off by said table 17. The can is guided in this transfer by a guide plate 113 and by the surface 114- of the guide plate 80.

A flexible spring member 115, Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings, carried by a bracket 110 rigidly secured to the guide plate 80 by a stud 117, lies in the path of the fiber braking plugs 53 carried by the chuck spindle journals 47. so that said plugs are pressed inwardly against said spindles when riding over said spring member 115. The chuck spindles and the chucks are thereby brought to rest after having been released from the continuously rotating pinions 31, and the can ends 77. at the position B, Fig. 3. as hereinbefore explained, and before said chucks arrive at the position A, to descend upon the succeeding can end.

Thus the principal objects of the invention are achieved. The cans are carried through the machine continuously by continuously operating mechanism: a temporarily rotatively stationary chuck descends upon the can end and clamps the can and its end securely; rotation is then imparted to the can and its end, through said chuck. and the seaming rolls brought into operative position; and finally the can is released from the chuck and carried out of the machine, and the rotation of the chuck is stopped in preparation for its engagement with the next can end. The entire operation of the machine is automatic and the working parts thereof brought into action in timed relation for the work to be accomplished.

It will be noted that a can to be seamed 1s first positioned on a suitable freely rot-.1-

lllllll table support, that while so positioned its end is clamped thereto by a vertically movable can chuck prior to the sean'ling rolls acting against the flange of the can end, that means are then brought into action for imparting rotation to the can chuclr tor rapidly revolving the clamped can on its ()Wll axis, and the seaming rolls brought into action for seaming the can end to the can during the rotary movement thereof. in the drawings the apparatus is illustrated as a multispindle machine, but it is obvious that such is merely the preferred embodiment of the invention, due to the increased Capacity gained thereby.

l am aware that many changes may be made in the form and construction or the device as herein described andillustrated, without in any Way allecting the principles ot the invention, it being understood that the form herein described and illustrated is merely that whioh is preferred for reasons of practice. l, therefore, do not wish to limit myself in this regard, but, on the contrary. l wish to be construed as claiming the invention as broadly as the art will permit.

Having thus described my inven-ion, what l claim as new and desire to protect by Let ters Patent is 4 1. an apparatus for the described pun pose comprising a member adapted to re ceive and support a can body having an end loosely applied thereto,a rotatable and vertically movable chuck, means for moving said chuck into engagement with said can end to clamp said end and said can in fixed relation, automatic mechanism for setting in operation the rotation of said can and said end after the same have been clamped, and means associated therewith for seaming said end to said can body, i

2. An apparatus for the described purpose comprising a freely rotatable member adapted to receive and support a can body having an end loosely applied thereto, a rotatable and vertically movable chuck positioned in axial alinement with said receiving member, means tor moving said chucli into engagement with said can end to clamp saidend and said can in fixed relation upon said re ceiving member, automatic mechanism tor setting in operation the rotation of said chuclr alter said can and said end have been clamped thereby, and devices for seaming said end to said can body during thorotary movement thereof,

3. An apparatus for the described purpose comprising a member adapted to; re-f ceive and support a can body havin'g.. ar flanged end loosely applied thereto, "means,

tor clamping said can and said end in fixed relation, intermittently and automatically acting mechanism for setting in operation the rotation of said can and said end after the samehave been clamped, a movable seaming head mounted in proximity to the flange of said can end, horizontally and vertically disposed seaming rolls carried by said head, and means tor oscillating said head to move said vertically disposed roll and said horizontally disposed roll successively into and out of engagement with the flange of said can end.

l. An apparatus for the described purpose comprising a member adapted to receive and support a can body having a flanged end loosely applied thereto, means for clamping said can and said end in lined relation, intermittently and automatically acting mechanism for setting in operation the rotation of said can and-said end after the same have been clamped, a movable seaming head mounted in proximity to the flange of said can end, horizontally and vertically disposed seaming rolls carried by said head, means for oscillating said head in a horizontal plane to move said horizontally disposed seaming roll into and out of engagement with the flange of said can end, and mechanism associated with said head and actuated by ithe oscillation thereof for moving said vertically disposed seaming roll ,into and out of engagement with the flange of said can end.

5. An apparatus for the described purpose comprlsing a member adapted to re ceive and support a can body having a flanged end loosely applied thereto, means for clamping said can and said end in fixed relation, intermittently and automatically acting mechanism for setting in operation the rotation of said can and said end after the same have been clamped, a movable seaming head mounted in proximity to the flange of said can end, a pair or orizontally disposed seaming rolls and a vertically disposed tucking roll carried by said head, means for oscillating said head in a horizontal plane to move said horizontally disposed seaming rolls successively into and out of engagement with the flange ot said can end, and mechanism associated with said head and actuated by the oscillation thereof for moving said vertically disposed tucking roll into and out of engagement with the flange of said can end prior to the enga ement therewith of said seaming rolls.

6,. u. an apparatus for the described purpose, acontinuously rotating structure comprising a substantially horiaontal table and a turret spaced thereabo-ve, a member carried by said table and adapted to receive and support a can having an endloosely applied thereto, a movable chucli'carriedhy said turret in axial alinement'with said can supporting member, means tor moving said chuck into engagement with said can end, intermittently and automatically acting mechanism for imparting rotation to said chuck after the same has engaged said can llll llii

lilti table and adapted to receive and support a can having an end loosely applied thereto. a movable chuck carried by said turret in axial alinement with said can supporting member, means for moving said chuck into engagement with said can end, mechanism for imparting rotation to said chuck after the same has engaged said can end, devices carried by said turret for seaming said end to said can body, and means for feeding cans onto said supporting member and removing the same therefrom! 8. In an apparatus for the described pur- 2 :pose, a continuously rotating structure comprising a substantially horizontal table and a turret spaced thereabove, means for positioning a can body having an end loosely applied thereto upon said table and removing the same therefrom, achuck carried by a movable spindle mounted within said turret in axial alinement with the positioned can, a continuously rotating member surrounding said chuck! spindle, mechanism carried by said turret and actuated by the rotation thereof for moving said chuck into and out of engagement with said can end. mechanism carried by said turret and actuated by the rotation thereof for connecting said chuck spindle with said continuously rotating member to impart rotation to said chuck after the'samehas engaged said can end, and devices carried by said turret for seaming said "can end to said can body.

9'. In an apparatus for the described purpose, a continuously rotating structure comprising a substantially horizontal table and a turret spaced thereabove, means for pcsitioninga can body having a flanged end loosely applied thereto upon said table and removing the same therefrom, a movable chuck carried by said turret, mechanism for moving said chuck into and out of engagement with said can end, mechanism for imparting rotation to said chuck after the same has engaged said can end, a seaming head carried bysaid turret in proximity to the flange of said can end, a plurality of seaming rolls mounted in said head, and mechanism carried by said turret for oscillating said head to move said seaming rolls successively into and out of engagement with the flange of said can end.

10. An automatic apparatus for the seaming of ends to can bodies, the same comprising a pair of seaming rolls for altermechanism for alternately moving the seaming rolls into and out of engagement with the flanged can end of the clamped can.

11. In an apparatus for the described purpose, .the combination with an oscillating seamlng head, of horizontally disposed spaced seaming rolls carried thereby, a vertically disposed tucking roll carried by said head intermediate the seaming rolls and relative to which the seaming rolls are shiftable horizontally, mechanism for holding within the sphere of the seaming rolls a can with an end clamped thereon, an automatically acting cam for actuating the seaming head for placing the seaming rolls successively into and out of engagement with the flange of the can end, and means associated with said head and actuated by the movement thereof for moving said tucking roll into and out of engagement with the flange of the clamped can .end.

12. In an apparatus for the described purpose. the combination with a seaming head mounted for oscillation, of :1V pair of horizontally disposed spaced seaming rolls carried by said head, means for adjusting the position of said rolls relative'one to the other. a vertically disposed tucking roll carried by the seaming head intermediate the seaming rolls, mechanism for imparting oscillatory movement to the seaming head. an eccentric rotatable spindle associated therewith and actuated by the movement thereof for raising and lowering the tucking roll, can clamping means, can rotating means, and mechanism for operating the can clamping and rotating means and acting to raise and lower the tucking roll.

13. In an apparatus for the described purpose, the combination with 'a rotatable support for receivinga can with a can end loosely positioned thereon, a rotatable vertically movable chuck in axial alinement with said can support, mechanism for actuating said chuck to clamp the can end to 11 positioned can, means for setting in rotary operation said chuck after it has been clamped upon the can end, seaming mechanism comprising a horizontally movable oscillating seaming head carrying spaced horizontally disposed seaming rolls and a vertically disposed tucking roll for acting on the flange of the clamped can end for the double seaming thereof to the end of the held can during the rotary movement thereof. and means operated in timed relation with the stopping of said chuck for feeding cans thereto.

14. In an apparatus for the described purpose, the combination with a rotatable can support for receiving and supporting a can with a can end loosely applied thereto, of a vertically movable and rotatable can chuck in axial alinement therewith, means for moving said chuck into engagement with the can end of a positioned can for clamping said end thereto, means for setting in operation and imparting rotation to the said chuck, clamped end and can and the support therefor after said clamping is completed, seaming mechanism for seaming the flange of the can end to the can during the rotary movement thereof, andmeans oper ated in timed relation with the stopping of said chuck for feeding cans thereto.

15. In an apparatus for the described purpose, the combination with a horizontally rotatable structure provided with a series of rotatable can supports, of devices for positioning onto said supports cans with ends loosely applied thereto, a series of vertically movable and rotatable can chucks held above and in axial alinement with said can supports, means for lowering the can chucks into engagement with the loose ends of positioned cans for clamping the same thereto, means for setting in operation and imparting rotation to said chucks, cans and can supports after the clamping of the can ends, and associated mechanism for seaming the can ends to the heldflcans during-the rotary movement thereof.

16. In ani apparatus for the described purpose, the combination wvith a horizontally rotatable structure provided with a series of rotatable can supports, of devices for positioning onto said supports cans with ends loosely applied thereto, a series of vertically movable and rotatable can chucks held above and in axial alinement with said can supports, means for lowering the can chucks into engagement with the loose ends of positioned-cans for clamping the same thereto, means for setting in operation and imparting rotation to said chucks, cans, and. can supports after the secure clamping of the can ends, associated mech-' anism for seaming the can end to the held can during the rotary movement thereof, means for raisingthe can end chucks and stopping the rotation thereof on the com= pletion of the seaming of-the can end to the clamped can, and means for automatically discharging the cans from the can supports after the raising of the .can

chucks.

17.1n an apparatus for the described purpose, the combination with a plurality of horizontally movable and rotatable can supports, of a vertically movable and rotatable canchuck located above each of said supports inaxial alinement therewith, devices for feeding successively to said supports cans with an end loosely applied thereto, means for lowering the can chuck into engagement with the can end for clamping the same to the can, means for setting in operation and imparting rotation to said clamping and clamped elements after the secure clamping of the can end to the can, and mechanism for seaming the can end to the clamped can during its movement of rotation.

18. In an apparatus for the described purpose, the combination with a horizontally rotatable structure, of a series of seaming mechanisms carried thereby, each comprising a plurality of oscillating horizontally disposed spaced seaming rolls and a vertically disposed tucking roll interposed between the seaming rolls, a verticallymovable and rotatable can chuck associated with each of said seaming mechanisms, :1 series of rotatable can supports carried by said rotarystructure and situated beneath and in axial alinement with the can chucks, devices for feeding successively to said supports and within the sphere of the seaming mechanisms cans with ends loosely ap plied thereto, means for first lowering the can chucks to clamp a can end to a positioned can, means for then setting in operation and imparting rotation to said clamping and clamped elements after the clamping of the end to the can, and mechanism for imparting horizontal oscillating move ment to the seaming rolls and vertical movement to the tucking roll for the seaming of the can end to the clamped can.

19. In an apparatus for the described pur pose, the combination with an intermittently rotatable can support, of devices for feeding onto said su port a can with an end loosely applied t ereto, a vertically movable and rotatable can chuck situated above and in axial alinement with said support, means for lowering said can chuck into engagement with the can end of a positioned can for the clamping of the same thereto and the can to its support, devices for setting in operation and imparting rotary movement to the can chuck after the clamping of the can for transmitting rotation thereto and to its support, seaming mechanism for seaming the can end to the can during the rotation thereof, and associated devices for raising the can chuck on the completion of the seaming operation and stopping the rotary-movement of the sa d chuck.

20. In an apparatus for the described pur pose, the combination with a rotary can support for receiving a can with a can end loosely applied thereto, of a vertically movable and rotatable can chuck situated above and in axial alinement with the can support,

"operation, mechanism for seaming the can end to the can during the rotation thereof. and means for imparting a traveling movement to said support and chuck during said operation.

21. In a machine for the described purpose, the combination with a freely rotatable can support for holding a can with an end cover loosely ap lied thereto. of a vertically rnovable intermittently rotating can chuck spaced from the can support and in axial alinement therewith, means for lowering the can chuck to clamp the can end to a can positioned on the cam support, and means for imparting rotary movement to the can chuck when in its lowered position for imparting rotation to the clamped can and its support and for holding the chuck from rotation until it has clamped the can end as described. and power mechanism for automatically causing said clamping and rotary movements in timed relation.

22. In a multi-spindled seaming machine. the combination with a table provided with a series of freely rotatable can supports, of a rotary turret located above the said table. a series of can chucks carried by said turret in axial alinement with the can supports, devices for feeding cans with an end thereon onto the can supports, means for lowering the can chucks to clamp the can ends to po tit) sitioned cans, means for imparting rotation to said chucks after the clamping of the can ends to the cans and for holding the chucks from rotation until they have clamped the can ends as described, and a plurality of seaming rollers associated with each can .chuck for'acting to scam the clamped end of the can thereto during the rotary movement of the said clamped can.

23. In a machine'for the described purpose, the combination with a rotatable table provided with a seriesof can supports revolubly mounted thereon, a series of intermittently rotating can chucks axially alined with said supports and movable to clamp cans and their covers between the same and said supports, means for imparting rotation to the can chucks after the clamping of the cans to the supports for rotating the cans and supports, and a plurality of seaming rollers associated with each can chuck for actin to seam the can ends to the cans during t e rotary movement thereof.

24. In a machine for the described purpose, a series of can supports rotatable about a vertical axis, of a series of can chucks above and in axial alinement with said supports and adapted to clamp the can end to -:ans positioned on said supports, vertically movable intermittently rotating spindles for actuating said can chucks, means for lowering said spindles to cause the can chucks to clamp cans with can ends applied thereto to the can supports, means for imparting rotation to said spindles for rotating the can chucks. cans and can supports after the clamping ot' the can ends to the cans, and a plurality of seaming rolls associated with ach of the can chucks for seaming the can ends to the cans during the rotary movement of said cans.

$5. In a machine for double seaming can ends to can bodies. the combination of rotatable means for clamping and rotating a can body with an end applied thereto, double seaming means for operating on the flange of the can end and inclosed flange of the can body, a tucking roll having an eccentric support by which it is movable endwisc of the can and engageable with the bent flange of a can end. and mechanism connected with the can clamping means and with the double seaming means and with said tucking roll to operate said instrumentalities, as described, in timed relation.

36. In an apparatus for the described purpose. the combination with a horizontally rotatable table provided with a series of can supports free y rotatable thereon and each adapted to receive and hold a can with an end loosely applied thereto, a turret rotatable with the said table and carrying a series of vertically movable and rotatable can chucks in axial alinement with the can supports, seaming mechanism comprising a plurality of seaming rolls associated with each of the can chucks. devices for lowering said can chucks during one portion of the rotary movement of the said table and turret to clamp cans to the can supports, and means thrown into action at a subsequent period of the rotary movement of the turret and table and after the cans have been clamped for Lmparting rotation to the said chucks when .n lowered position and the cans clamped thereby to the can supports, said chucks bemg disconnected from their rotating means during the first mentioned movement of said table.

27. In an apparatus for the described purpose, the combination with a. can support freely rotatable on a vertical axis for receiving and holding a can with an end loosely applied thereto, of a vertically movable and rotatable can chuck adapted when lowered to clamp a can with its applied end to said support. devices which are set in )peration after the can is clamped for imparting rotation to said chuck when in its lowered position. a plurality of seaming rolls rotatable on vertical axes for acting tltl successively on the flange of the can end during rotary movement of the clamped can, an eccentrically mounted tucking roll rotatable on a horizontal axis interposed between the seaming rolls, and means for turning the mounting of the tucking roll.

'28. in an apparatus for the described purpose, the combination with a. horizontally disposed rotatable table provided with a series of treely rotatable can supports,

.ot" mechanism tor successively feeding; cans with ends loosely applied to the can supports, a series ol vertically movable and rotatable can chuclrs in axial alinement with the can supports and movable with the said table carrying the supports, devices thrown into action during the rotation of the can supporting table for lowering said can chuclrs tor clampingti-positioned can and end to the can supports, mechanism thrown into action alter the cans are clamped for rotating said chucks, seaming mechanism associated with each can chuclr and comprising a plurality of seaming rolls, and a tucltinp; roll adapted to act upon the tlange ot the can end during the rotary movement of a clamped can.

29. ll. multi-spindle apparatus tor double seaming can ends to cans, the same comprising horizontally movable, freely rotatable, can supports, inter-connected lllSlilllIllQllllitll ties working in timed relation for successively feeding cans with ends loosely applied thereto onto said can supports, clamping the cans to said supports and temporarily holding the same against rotatlon and imparting rotation to said can chucks utter the clamping of the cans to the said can supports, and a plurality of seaming rolls adapted to act successively upon the flange of the can end during the rotary movement oi the clamped cans.

30.. In a multiple spindle can closing machine, in combination; a series of loose and rotatable can supports, rotatable and vertically movable clamping chucks above the same, means for moving said chucks to clamp the can ends to the can bodies and the latter to said supports and also to release the cans after seaming, means for setting in operation the rotation of said chucks after said clamping operation has been per termed and before the cans are released, means for moving filled cans continuously and successively into alinement with said chucks, means for assembling can ends with the cans while they are so moving, and means for carrying said supports, chucks and cans continuously around a common axis.

31. In a multi-spindle continuously rotating machine for attaching flanged covers to flanged can bodies by means of an intert'olded seam, in combination: means for continuously moving cans having loosely a plurality oi seaming stations, said baseplate being held against vertical n'lovement, a plurality of seaming; rollers hav ing axial rotation, mounted at each of said seaming stations and adapted to move into operative contact with the flanges of cans and covers in a plane parallel to said turret base plate, opposed pairs of rotatable clamping members at each seaming station, the upper member having axial and rotative movement :tor clamping and holding the loosely applied covers to the cans, and means for setting in operation the rotation of said clamping and clamped elements atter the clamping action has taken place and while the cans are being acted upon by said seaming rollers.

32. it can closing machine comprising a carrier, means for rotating said carrier contlnuously about a vertical axis, said carrier having individually rotatable means for supporting; can bodies having covers previously loosely applied and moving always in a fixed plane, means travelingwith the carrier for clamping and holding; the loosely applied covers on said can bodies and for rotating; said can bodies, seaming rollers for securing the coversto the cans as the carrier rotates, and means for setting in operation the rotation of said clamping means after the clamping action has taken place.

33. A can closing machine comprising a carrier, means for rotating said carrier continuously about a vertical axis, said carrier having means for supporting the can bodies having covers previously loosely applied and moving always in a fixed plane, means traveling with the carrier for clamping and holding the loosely applied covers on said. can bodies, and for rotating said can bodies and covers, means for setting in operation the rotation oi said clamping means after the clamping action has taken place, and seaming rollers for securing the covers to the cans as the carrier rotates and means for automatically feeding cans with loosely applied covers to the supporting means on said carrier.

84:. A filled can. closing machine comprising: a carrier rotating continuously about a vertical axis and having a plurality of closing stations, each of which includes an axially rotatable support for the filled can moving always in a fixed. plane, means for feeding previously capped cans to said supports, means traveling with the carrier for clamping and rotating the capped cans, seaming rollers movable with the carrier for seaming the cover to the can as the carrier rotates, and means for setting in operation the rotation of said clamping' means after the clamping action has taken place.

35. A filled can closing machine comprising a carrier rotating continuously about a vertical axis and havinga pluralitvof closing stations each of which includes an axially rotatable support for the tilled can and moving always in a fixed plane. means for feeding previously capped cans to said supports. means traveling with the carrier for clamping and rotating the capped cans. means for setting in operation the rotation of said clamping means after the ciamping action has taken place, and seaming rollers movable with the carrier for seaming the cover to the can as the carrier rotates and means for ejecting the closed cans from the carrier.

36. In a machine for securing" covers to cans, the combination of mechanism for moving cans and covers to a seaming station, means at said seaming station for clamping cans and covers and holding the same in assembled relation. one of said clamping means comprising L rotatable chuck on which a can rests: and seaming rolls movable toward and from the can and 1112111Q d it said seaming station at the inane of the too of the can. whereby cans .re received and operated on by said seamnQ rolls and discharged, while said cans 1nd rotatable bottom chuck and seaming .OllS are maintained in operative fixed hori zontal planes.

.7. The combination of mechanism IIOVIIIQ cans and covers to a seaming sta- ".1011. means at said seaming station for lillllDlIlg cans and covers and holding; the same in assembled relation. one of '7 said damning means comprising a rotatable bottom chuck: seaming rolls arranged at said eeaming station at the plane of the tops of he cans: means for advancing the clamping: neans and seaming rolls during" the seaming peration: and means for maintaining the )OiltOm chuck and seaming rolls in opera- 'ive fixed horizontal planes.

In testimonv whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of L subscribing witness.

iKEL JOHNSON.

for

itness B. RICHARDS. 

